by 66-1112520797 » Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:42 am
Brilliant result !!!
Just want to note a touch of reality on that though, Arsenal didnt turn up for that one today they were s.hit and made our job a whole lot easier. I dont think this can cover up the problems we still have, mainly from wide areas (midfield) and its not worth getting carried away with it, we've been here to many times before after a few decent results we seem to believe we're the dogs bollo.x and lose our perspective. This game was one of those that could have you loose perspective.
But as s.hit as Arsenal were today we were equally at their ground earlier on this season, we owed them and we paid them. Looking at the initial formation I wasnt over the moon, although it is a solid formation and one which we could adopt more often. Especially with Mascha and Xabi sitting behind Stevie. But when I did see the line-up, I thought Rafa was more worried about stopping Arsenal play, it looked quite negative at home (one striker upfront) but credit where its due it worked a treat.
The main difference today apart from the formation was Peter Crouch back in the starting line-up, ahead of Kuyt. For me thats been a while coming Kuyts game as a striker has really dropped into the abyss of late. And like on most occasions when Crouch has been called upon he's more than not delivered. A fantastic hatrick and 14 goals this season for a player who is hardly been getting a look in of late is great and really tells you something about the fella, his close control is fantastic for a lanky fella, and hell he even diverted the ball into th eback of the net with his seemingly inacurate and weak neck muscles. He desreves to start more than not and it should really be Kuyt knocking on the door to get into the team, not the other way round.
I can see that formation being used a lot more next season considering the talent we have in midfield, with that much quality you'd really think Rafa would try and accomadate those players into that formation. I'd be happy with that midfield, although I still think Gerrard is the best box to box central midfielder in the country, playing him further up in a CENTRAL position makes better sense than playing him right. If we could get two excellent signings in those wide areas next to Gerrard and keep Pennant and gonzalez as stand in players the team would look formidable. I also thought Aurelio and Arbeloa had good games to today.
Reina
Finnan Carragher Agger Riise
Mascha Alonso
New player Gerrard New player/ or a finally fit Kewell
Crouch/ or new striker
With this formation like we played yesterday Crouch would be the ideal striker playing the lone role, he can hold it up better than any of our other strikers and his touch is just as good his game all round game is idealy suited to that formation.
But when we've been playing 4-4-2 like for most of the season, we've all been calling for a "fox in the box". If Rafa wants to use both these formations against the weaker and stronger sides respectively than I still strongly think we'll need a " fox in the box" to partner either Bellamy or Kuyt. The "new wingers" if we're getting any could be played wide in both formations, then only central midfield really becomes the re-shuffled pack.
Last edited by 66-1112520797 on Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
off for the cause.
But we do agree that having Mascha in the team will help Rafa playing his 4-2-3-1 formation. I think all is really needed in that formation would be a top right winger. I dont even believe we'd need a new striker for that formation as I believe Crouch is best suited to this role. They'd be no point in buying someone like a Robbie Fowler or an Owen to play upfront alone it wouldnt work with their games but with Crouch's we know it can.
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